Graphical programming system and method including three-dimensional nodes with pre-defined input and output capabilities
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for assembling a graphical program in a computer system including a video screen and means for creating a graphical program, wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected node icons, the method comprising:
- displaying on the screen a plurality of three-dimensional node icons, wherein each of the three-dimensional node icons has a plurality of sides, including a first side designated for receiving input data values, a second side designated for producing output data values, and a third side designated for receiving input data of a first type; and
assembling on the screen a graphical program comprising the plurality of three-dimensional node icons, wherein said assembling includes interconnecting ones of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to perform a desired function, wherein said assembling comprises;
connecting the first side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data values;
connecting the second side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to an input of a different one of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons; and
connecting the third side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data of said first type.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A graphical programming system and method which includes three-dimensional nodes that are wired or connected to from a graphical program or block diagram. Each of the three-dimensional nodes includes a plurality of sides that are designed to receive pre-defined inputs. In one embodiment, each node includes a left side for receiving data input and a right side for producing output data. The upper or top side of each node is designed to receive inputs regarding error conditions and/or initialization information. The front side of each node is reserved for displaying the name of the node or the function performed by the node. The back side of each node is reserved for timing and synchronization inputs. The bottom side of each node is designed to receive base configuration information and/or type declaration information. The user is only allowed to connect data of the specified type to the designated inputs of each node. If the user attempts to connect the wrong type of data to a respective input side of a node, the connection is broken, thus alerting the user of the problem. Therefore, the graphical programming system of the present invention simplifies the assembly process and provides increased error checking. The user can also manipulate or rotate the graphical program or block diagram to view different sides and thus view different classes of inputs.
174 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for assembling a graphical program in a computer system including a video screen and means for creating a graphical program, wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected node icons, the method comprising:
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displaying on the screen a plurality of three-dimensional node icons, wherein each of the three-dimensional node icons has a plurality of sides, including a first side designated for receiving input data values, a second side designated for producing output data values, and a third side designated for receiving input data of a first type; and assembling on the screen a graphical program comprising the plurality of three-dimensional node icons, wherein said assembling includes interconnecting ones of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to perform a desired function, wherein said assembling comprises; connecting the first side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data values; connecting the second side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to an input of a different one of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons; and connecting the third side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data of said first type. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45)
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15. A computer system which performs graphical programming operations, comprising:
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a video monitor including a video screen; a plurality of three-dimensional node icons comprised on the video screen, wherein each of the three-dimensional node icons has a plurality of sides, including a first side designated for receiving input data values, a second side designated for producing output data values, and a third side designated for receiving input data of a first type; means for assembling on the screen a graphical program comprising the plurality of three-dimensional node icons, wherein said means for assembling interconnects ones of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to perform a desired function; wherein said means for assembling connects the first side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data values; wherein said means for assembling connects the second side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to provide output data values to a different one of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons; and wherein said means for assembling connects the third side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data of said first type. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 44)
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28. A computer readable memory which directs a computer to perform graphical programming functions, comprising:
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a computer program comprised in the memory for rendering a plurality of three-dimensional node icons on a video screen of the computer system to form a graphical program, wherein each of the three-dimensional node icons has a plurality of sides, including a first side designated for receiving input data values, a second side designated for producing output data values, and a third side designated for receiving input data of a first type; wherein the computer program connects the first side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data values; wherein the computer program connects the second side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to provide output data values to a different one of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons; and wherein the computer program connects the third side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data of said first type.
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32. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions for assembling a graphical program in a computer system, the computer system including a video screen, wherein the graphical program comprises a plurality of interconnected node icons, wherein Me program instructions are executable to implement:
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displaying on the screen a plurality of three-dimensional node icons, wherein each of the three-dimensional node icons has a plurality of sides, including a first side designated for receiving input data values, a second side designed for producing output data values, and a third side designated for receiving input data of a first type; and assembling on the screen a graphical program comprising the plurality of three-dimensional node icons, wherein said assembling includes interconnecting ones of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to perform a desired function, wherein said assembling comprises; connecting the first side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive it data values; connecting the second side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to an input of a different one of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons; and connecting the third side of one or more of said plurality of three-dimensional node icons to receive input data of said first type.
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Specification